NATO presence on Russia’s borders angers Moscow

CCTV News

With mounting tensions between the West and Russia, both sides sent more of their military might closer to the Russian border.

Last week, a new NATO European Missile Defense system went online in Romania, angering Russia. CCTV’s Kevin Ozebek reports from Brussels.

NATO presence on Russia\'s borders angers Moscow

NATO presence on Russia\'s borders angers Moscow

With mounting tensions between the West and Russia, both sides sent more of their military might closer to the Russian border. Last week, a new NATO European Missile Defense system went online in Romania, angering Russia. CCTV’s Kevin Ozebek reports from Brussels.

Romania is also where NATO recently built a new European missile defense system-another one is being built in Poland.

As NATO builds up in Eastern Europe where Russia once ruled in influence, Moscow said it must respond.

Russia’s defense minister says those measures include sending more military units to its Western border by the end of the year.

The NATO-Russia relationship soured two years ago after Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

And experts said as long as Moscow holds Crimea and denies support for pro-Russian rebels in Eastern Ukraine-NATO will want a strong footprint in Eastern Europe.

The next NATO summit will take place in Warsaw in July. At that summit we’ll see if NATO decides to further increase its presence in Eastern Europe close to Russia’s border.

Moscow’s three new military divisions

The military brinkmanship has sparked Russia to send more forces to guard its borders. CCTV’s Julia Lyubova reports on what that deployment might look like.

Moscow\'s three new military divisions

Moscow\'s three new military divisions

The military brinkmanship has sparked Russia to send more forces to guard its borders. CCTV's Julia Lyubova reports on what that deployment might look like.

Around 4,000 troops are expected to be deployed in NATO’s planned expansion along its eastern flank.

This would be in addition to some 42,000 U.S. troops slated for deployment to Eastern Europe next February as part of an armored brigade.

Russian media reports say the new Russian buildup is expected to include motorized rifle divisions totaling around 30,000 soldiers in all.

Russia is angry about NATO’s increased military presence and military exercises close to its borders.

But after Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, NATO’s Eastern members have asked the alliance to expand its presence as a deterrent.

Moscow strongly denies that it has any intentions to attack the Baltic states.

Panel discusses the latest Russia vs. NATO tensions

CCTV America's Mike Walter spoke to James Jatras, Deputy Director of the American Institute in Ukraine. And Kurt Volker, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO. He's now Executive Director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University.

Panel discusses the latest Russia vs. NATO tensions pt2

Panel discusses the latest Russia vs. NATO tensions pt2

CCTV America's Mike Walter spoke to James Jatras, Deputy Director of the American Institute in Ukraine. And Kurt Volker, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO. He's now Executive Director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University.

Related

Doom Sternz

Biggest pack of lies on the net…….Russia did not invade Ukraine. The entire premise is propaganda and nothing more.

In truth NATO possesses almost no ability to defend Ukraine. Russia has 270,000 troops and 700 jet fighters positioned on Ukraine’s southern and western borders. And as Russia demonstrated in 2015 when it sent 150,000 troops to surround Ukraine, Moscow can quickly mobilise its military in the event of a conflict.

Given the massive military force Moscow can bring to bear around Ukraine, any American strategist advocating inviting Kiev into NATO is suspect to say the least. Also one must consider the nearly 100,000 troops that Donbass can also mobilise.

Recent war games revealed NATO would lose a war in the Baltics to Russia within 36 to 60 hours, and it’s hard to imagine anything other than a similar outcome in Ukraine.